In a heart-wrenching outcome for South African football fans, Banyana Banyana has been eliminated from contention for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Despite their best efforts, they were unable to overcome Nigeria in the crucial qualifier matches.
Banyana Banyana vs Nigeria match highlights
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In a tense series of encounters with their arch-rivals Nigeria, Banyana Banyana could not secure the necessary goals to advance to the Olympics.
The teams first met in Abuja, where Nigeria edged out South Africa 1-0 thanks to a penalty by Busayo Ajibade. The return leg at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria saw both teams battle to a 0-0 draw.
This result was not enough for Banyana Banyana, as the aggregate score left them trailing and thus out of the running for Paris 2024.
The South African team showed a marked improvement in the second leg, displaying more control and pressing harder against the Nigerian defense.
However, despite their efforts and strong backing from the local crowd, they were unable to penetrate the Nigerian defence and convert their opportunities into goals.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria held firm, absorbing the pressure from start to finish, and ensuring their spot in the upcoming Olympics.
When are the 2024 Paris Olympics?
The 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to be a historic event, scheduled from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
Paris will host athletes and fans from around the world in what is anticipated to be the largest event ever organised in France. The Olympics are expected to be a grand celebration of multiculturalism and athletic prowess, attracting a global audience.
The women’s football competition at the Paris Games will follow a format similar to that of FIFA tournaments. Matches are played over two halves of 45 minutes each on a grass pitch.
The rules are identical to men’s football, with teams consisting primarily of players born on or after 1 January 2001.
Each squad may include up to three players who are over the age limit, providing teams the flexibility to blend experience with youth in their 18-player rosters.